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The `Beginning of Summer Street Dance and Car Cruise` returns Thursday.
The "Beginning of Summer Street Dance and Car Cruise" returns Thursday.

Youngstown Street Dance is annual community favorite

Fri, Jun 11th 2021 08:40 am

Thurman Brothers Band to entertain on Main Street

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

The good news from Youngstown just keeps getting better.

Following on last week’s Tribune-Sentinel profile of the new faces and developments along the Main Street strip in the village comes word the 11th annual Youngstown Business and Professional Association’s “Beginning of Summer Street Dance and Car Cruise” is back.

A local favorite that typically marks the end of the school year and the start of summer vacations will hit Main Street from 6-10 p.m. Thursday, June 17.

“It’s coming together fast. It’s going to be the 17th. Mark your calendars, tell your friends,” said YBPA Secretary Mark Butera during Tuesday’s membership meeting at Bandana’s. “We were so surprised to have village trustees approve this a month ago.”

Mark, along with his wife, Cheryl Butera, who serves as association president, said YBPA couldn’t be more pleased Mayor Raleigh Reynolds and the Board of Trustees granted permission to hold this event.

“They said yes! We were so surprised,” Cheryl commented.

Planning is now moving along fast and furious among YBPA’s membership to help make this a memorable event on the Main Street drag from Main-Hinman streets on the south to the Lockport-Main intersection on the north. Coming off last year’s cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Street Dance 2021 will take on a slightly different, but nonetheless familiar feel.

“New for 2021 is the Thurman Brothers Band,” Mark said. “They were kind enough to honor their commitment for this year. We’re so glad to have them!”

Featured on the west side Main Street stage will be Dave Thurman of the Thurman Brothers Band; the ever-popular car cruise returns to Main and Hinman; visitors will find plentiful offerings of foods and drinks by local businesses; and there will be live music and dancing on the street.

Throw in a celebration of new Youngstown business faces and some neat kids activities and you have the mix for a fun family evening.

All current COVID-19 protocols will be followed. YBPA reported that, due to the late village approvals – not to mention the never-ending COVID-19 uncertainties – many of the familiar children’s favorites of past years had to be shelved for this year. That includes the Bounce House, the Lakeside Quarterhorses’ pony rides and visiting clowns from Niagara Clown Alley.

YBPA members have been considering some alternatives for a children’s area. Look for activities on both the northern and southern ends of Lockport Street, where kids activities were typically held.

Board member Catherine Stella said she is hard at work with fellow YBPA member Melissa Kudel of Bandana’s and resident Jodee Riordan of the Lewiston-Porter Board of Education to help facilitate a whole host of kids’ events for Street Dance.

“It’s coming together!” Stella said.

Look for dancing and a host of new kids come Thursday in Youngstown. (File photo)

••••••••

She reported a number of behind-the-scenes activities have been underway since the Village of Youngstown’s approval in May. Among the possibilities still in planning are a chalk walk event, a photo backdrop for special memories, water balloon events and squirt guns.

“One of my ideas is that we’re trying to come up with something for kids. Ideas included rock painting with a YBPA 2021 Street Dance theme,” Kudel said. “Kids can keep or hide their rocks; that will be cute.”

YBPA member and Realtor Stephanie Quain Cattarin said, “I’m very happy to add that Hunt Real Estate has donated some money for the kids’ area.”

Still more that’s beginning to come together is the annual car cruise held on the southern end of Street Dance. YBPA said applications and information are already out in the community.

“We’ve given out quite a few. We’ve been to cruises around Lockport and Sanborn,” said YBPA member Albert McFayden who is coordinating this event.

Also expected: the YBPA split table; the Youngstown Lions have graciously committed to doing popcorn again; the Youngstown Boy Scouts and Youngstown Free Library will assist in the planning of children’s events.

Still more to check out come Thursday are the new and familiar business faces of Youngstown, including YBPA members Rob Jeeves of That Barber & Co. by Il Mulino; Lewis Bean of the Hill of Beans Coffee Stop; Rebecca Poletti of the new Mangia Cakes; and Mark and Lisa Leffler of Sister and Brother Children’s Apparel. They join the other Main Street family that’s expected, including Everything Youngstown, the Village Diner, The Jug, and the Butera’s Anchor Spirits. Also community organizations such as the Youngstown Lions, Youngstown Volunteer Fire Co., the Youngstown Garden Club, Youngstown Yacht Club and more who welcome you to visit and experience the fun.

“This is so big (of the developing plans),” Mark Butera said. “We were more worried that the Street Dance was going to be more symbolic this year. This is really great; thank you for volunteering. It’s going to be great. We got a lot to do in 10 days!”

So, mark Thursday evening on the calendar for some true family fun in Youngstown.

Visit YBPA on Facebook or its websites at www.youngstownny.com or www.youngstownnewyork.com for even more details.

YBPA celebrates the return of Street Dance with some neatly designed T-shirts. Look for them at the YBPA booth on Main Street. (Photo by Kevin and Dawn Cobello, K&D Action Photo and Aerial Imaging).

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